Creehan joins the Ticats after serving the last two years as the Winnipeg Blue Bombers linebackers coach. He is the son of former Hamilton defensive coordinator Denny Creehan.

"I'm very excited to add Casey to our staff as defensive coordinator,'' Ticats head coach George Cortez said in a statement.

"He's been involved with an exciting style of defence in Winnipeg over the last couple of years and after working together in Calgary, I know Casey is capable of leading an energetic, aggressive defence here in Hamilton.''

Creehan also spent one season as the Montreal Alouettes linebackers coach (2008) and before that served as the Calgary Stampeders defensive line coach (2004-'07).

"I'm honoured to have the opportunity to join the Hamilton Tiger-Cats and work with coach Cortez, whose track record as a coach speaks for itself,'' said Creehan. "We look forward to creating a fast, physical defence that is centred on fundamentals.''